Keharanjo II Laid to Rest

Francis Xoagub And Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro

26 April 2011

Ongango, Kunene Region — Ovambanderu Paramount Chief, Keharanjo II Nguvauva, was laid to rest on Sunday here, about 80 kilometres south-west of Opuwo, as per his wish before his death.

Two days of pure cultural extravaganza characterised by a vigil of mourners, battle cries by both women and men ala the Ovahimba style, Green, Red and White flags paramilitary drilling parades culminated in the funeral on Sunday that was witnessed by thousands of people from the Kunene Region and beyond.

With most of the political and traditional dignitaries having already paid their tribute to the late Chief, and condolences to King Mother, Aletta Karikondua Nguvauva, and the Ovambanderu and Ovaherero communities for their loss, Sunday saw selected messages, among them by some of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority’s top brass and stalwarts, followed by a short church ceremony by the clergy before the ritual at the holy fire presided over by elder, Hijazonguru Kavari.

The latter committed the late chief to his ancestors before the hearse set off to the specially designated burial area for the late chief.

Searching for unity out of tragedy, Kunene Regional Governor Josua //Hoebeb paid tribute to the late Keharanjo II Nguvauva at a memorial service held at Ongango on Saturday. He reminded those in grief that an entire nation was with them.

The governor, on behalf of Government, stepped into the role of national consoler and drove to Ongango with his wife to pay their last respects.

Keharanjo committed suicide in Windhoek on April 8, leaving behind a rare three-page suicide note. He was buried next to his great grandfather, Tjozohongo Nguvauva.

A traditional guard of honour, which lined up the street from Omega to Opuwo, received the hearse on Friday. A brief ritual was held at the Opuwo Stadium before the body was taken to Ongango.

However, the much-publicised funeral of the late Keharanjo did not take place on the planned Saturday and was postponed to Sunday, as the gravesite was so rocky that it was practically impossible to dig the grave.

As is the practice in the Ovambanderu culture, a grave is only prepared when the hearse arrives at the burial site. The funeral organising committee told New Era that they had to use dynamite to loosen the rocks.

Mourners were gathered at an open spot some six kilometres from the gravesite since Friday, where different representatives from various traditional houses gathered for the requiem, when the announcement of the delay was made.

But this did not deter the mourners from continuing with the memorial service, which included rituals by the various Ovaherero, Ovazemba and other traditional authorities.

“This funeral of Keharanjo II Nguvauva son of the Great Munjuku Nguvauva, must rekindle the national character of Namibia in general and the Ovabanderu in particular, to love freedom justice, equality and brotherliness,” //Hoebeb said.

He said that Namibians from all walks of life are welded together by history and common experiences hence their ideal should always be peace and goodwill, to serve as the cornerstone of “our moral code”.

//Hoebeb said he was shocked at the news of Keharanjo’s death.

“The great Shepherd of all times is God, and some are made shepherds/leaders by the Grace of God. You as leaders are compared to shepherds and as leaders are anointed to provide guidance, preparation for the restoration of unity and comfort for those that are hurt, weak, weary, vulnerable, hungry, disperses and often lost,” said a pensive //Hoabeb.

He called on the young and the old in the Kunene Region and the rest of Namibia to honour Ongango, as it was the place Keharanjo knew better than many, as a place, that gave birth to him, through his ancestors.

“Respect Ongango and make it a better, happier and more godly place – a place created, to be remembered, never to be forgotten for generations to come,” he said.

Others who paid their last respects included the Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Kazenambo Kazenambo, President of the United Democratic Front (UDF) Justus //Garoeb, Deputy Minister of Gender, Equality and Child Welfare Angelika Muharukua and Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism Uahekua Herunga and respective traditional leaders from across the country.

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